More Than 130 Graduate In Bristol Tech Ceremony

STEPHEN DUNN, Hartford Courant

All 130 students at the Bristol Technical Education Center received trade certificates during a ceremony held at the school Tuesday. The senior students received a diploma from their sending school and also participated in the year end certificate ceremony. Bristol Technical, with 170 students in grades eleven through post-graduate, features six trades: culinary, automotive, welding, electrical, HVAC and manufacturing. Prior to the ceremony, students waited in their respective shops before lining up.

All 130 students at the Bristol Technical Education Center received trade certificates during a ceremony held at the school Tuesday. The senior students received a diploma from their sending school and also participated in the year end certificate ceremony. Bristol Technical, with 170 students in grades eleven through post-graduate, features six trades: culinary, automotive, welding, electrical, HVAC and manufacturing. Prior to the ceremony, students waited in their respective shops before lining up. (STEPHEN DUNN, Hartford Courant)

MEAGHAN LATELLA

BRISTOL — The graduates were subdued, but attentive, as they gathered beneath a tent in the parking lot of Bristol Technical Education Center. Family members and guests dotted the grassy hill on the edge of the lot, setting up lawn chairs or standing to get a better view of the stage.

It was a pleasant morning Tuesday for Bristol Tech's Certificate Ceremony. The more than 130 members of the Class of 2015 did not wear the traditional caps and gowns. Instead, the men wore button-down shirts and ties while women wore dresses or pantsuits.

Bristol Tech enrolls students from more that 30 towns in the state, from high school student to post-graduate or adult learners. Each year, the school selects one high school student and one post-grad student to be named "Students of the Year."

This year, 20 students — 10 high school level and 10 post-grad level — applied for the honor. Standing on the stage set up in front of the school with teachers, several Board of Education officials and two students, principal Joyce Mowrey told attendees that all of the applicants were extremely worthy of receiving the award, making the decision difficult.

"[Both recipients] are skilled tradesmen, and responsible citizens," she said.

Kenan Nasit was this year's high school student of the year, while Justin Frey was named post-grad student of the year. Both Nasit and Frey studied heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration while at Bristol Tech.

Walking to the lectern, Nasit told his fellow graduates, "Good or bad [days]…I will always remember this school."

"To my classmates: I wish you good luck and good travels," Frey said.

In addition to the students of the year, two students, Kayla Mordo and Quinn Gadski, were honored for their efforts to recruit participants for Bristol Tech's blood collection drives. For their hard work, both students received $1,000 scholarships from a partnership between the American Red Cross and Bob's Furniture.

Bristol Tech ranks second school in the state this year for the most successful blood collection drives.